February 2017 Update
As usual during the winter months, there has been a continued hive of activity on the railway, with a great deal of continued work on the trackbed, as well as continuing maintenance and repairs on what is referred to as ‘Boathouse Bridge’ at the Bala end of the line. We also witnessed the first scheduled running of George Bwhen she hauled her first photo charter at the beginning of the month. This was the very first time she had been in revenue earning form for half a century, and her first proper appearance since her lengthy restoration and overhaul. All photo charters are noteworthy, but the photos of the event on the 7th February capture the nature of the occasion perfectly.
George B will be hauling her first passenger train this century on the 22nd April, and seats available to the public on this historic service can be booked online.
The Red Dragon Project made a most important announcement at the end of the month regarding the plan to extend the BLR back into down-town Bala. Contracts have now been exchanged for the purchase of the first tranche of land needed for the new station area in Bala, and this has been funded by generous donations from people all over the country, as well as by energetic fund-raising. While the next big hurdle to be surmounted is the crossing of the River Dee by a possible tramway method very similar to that of the Festiniog Railway in Porthmadog, and early indications are certainly favourable, this first major land acquisition is a major boost for all concerned, particularly those leading the quest. ‘Click here’ for a direct link to the Trust website which has more information.
Another working weekend took place on the 18th/19th and was well attended, including volunteers from other railways, Ashley Barrs coming across from the North Norfolk with his young son, Jack, to do some spirited work on changing sleepers at Llanuwchllyn. Saturday saw several track panels lifted in the station environs, and it is a credit to the enthusiasm of the team that all was back in place ready for the scheduled trains on the Sunday. There was relatively less pressure on the Sunday when sleepers were changed in the station run-round, as this presented no delays to the trains. Another volunteer, Jim Adams, was present over the weekend with his young son, and it is of note that both young boys were particularly enthusiastic in helping to prepare the locomotive early on Sunday morning. Grime, it seems, has perennial appeal.
Attention was also given, actually by the Wednesday Gang, to the aforementioned ‘Boathouse Bridge’. In earlier news updates last year, we reported that the main timbers of the bridge, those that carry the rails, were renewed, and since then, the side boarding has been renewed, in part so that anyone walking over the bridge, (legally or otherwise), can do so in safety. However, what became apparent after the winter gales, is that the relentless pounding of the bridge abutments by the waves has begun to erode the supports. To this end, a considerable amount of cement and rocks have been fixed in place to stop any further problems arising. Likewise, new steel beams are being fitted on the outboard side of the ‘walking’ area, with new brick supports underneath. As the photograph shows, it matters not what the weather, the job gets done.
We refer to this location by the name of ‘Boathouse Bridge’ because there is still to be seen, albeit in derelict state, a boathouse which was once for the use of residents of the John Lewis Staff Hotel situated on the other side of the road. The area around the boathouse has since silted up because of lack of use over many years, and is usually almost dry these days. But the winter gales whistling up the lake have flooded the overgrown undergrowth quite a bit of late, as if in a vain attempt to recreate its former splendour.
The Carriage & Wagon Department have been suffering from winter weather, as most of their tasks are currently outdoors. Nevertheless, we are delighted to show the almost complete cover for the newly raised water tower at the end of Llanuwchllyn Station, and this will be fitted as soon as possible.
Locomotives equal maintenance, and Maid Marianis still in pieces while she undergoes her 10 year overhaul. However, what looks like, to the untrained eye, an horrendous task was casually dismissed by Chief Engineer, Rob Houghton, as she will be up and running in a matter of weeks. Like jigsaw experts, he knows where the myriad bits should go, and the rest of the team are confident that she will be ready in time. As we mentioned previously, she is to be rebuilt in her original open form, thus it will be only for a few months that visitors and enthusiasts will be able to see her as she was during her latter years at Dinorwic Quarry. At the end of this season, she will have her full cab refitted, so please make a note to inspect her in this rarest of formats.
Likewise, our original trusty diesel, known to all by her nickname, Trigger, is also in dismantled state. She was overdue for a large bout of TLC, but after she had been stripped as necessary, she was found to have other issues, thus her engine has been removed for easier access. It will take a while for this locomotive to be back in service. But, thanks to the inspired work of our engineering team in fettling and constantly improving the larger of our two R&H diesels, Chilmark, there is never a problem and she has taken over Trigger’s mantle as main ‘yard-goat’ for the foreseeable future. Indeed, she has just been presented with a large headlight, originally from a rally car, which was demonstrated recently to remarkable effect. It looks remarkably effective. Instructions have been issued that said light is NOT to be used unless the engine is running!
Diana, our Kerr Stuart loco, is on her travels during the spring, and is at the Statfold Barn railway on the 25th of this month. Beamish will enjoy her company 6th to 9th April, followed by her return to the area for the Ffestiniog Quirks Gala at the end of the month. Lastly she visits the Apedale Gala in mid May.
Diana also celebrates an important birthday this year and it it great to see that an appropriate headboard, designed by Mark Freeman, has been cast for the event. As her owner, Phil Mason, says "The weight will also help with adhesion!".
And finally…….
Not counting the Wickham Trolley, a lengthy description of which can be seen in the ‘Locomotives’ section of the BLR website, there is one final locomotive on the BLR fleet.
Meirionnydd was the first locomotive on the Bala Lake Railway after its formation. She was built in 1973 by Severn Lamb in Stratford-on-Avon and is based on a Western Class standard gauge loco.
While she may not ‘fit’ into the quarry loco format, she has proved to be a most useful member of the fleet. She was re-engined in the 90s with a new Cummins diesel, notable for the fact that even after months of inactivity, the engine fires at the first turn of the key. In 2015, she underwent a thorough overhaul, which included being beautifully repainted by Dan Laidlaw. She is owned by the Meirionnydd Fund, in a similar way to Maid Marian who is owned by theMaid Marian Locomotive Fund.
As we mentioned in the December News, our next Volunteer Day will be held on the 14th May. The booking form for this important event is now available via the'Volunteering' pageof our website. It is essential to register for what will prove to be an inspirational day finding out about the many aspects of an heritage railway and all the fun and worthwhile activities that can be experienced.